Could 49ers find defensive-line gold in British Olympian?

Nearly 30 years after Bill Walsh selected Olympic shot putter Michael Carter as one of his finest draft picks, the 49ers again are considering an Olympian in Lawrence Okoye, Britain’s record holder in the discus.

Okoye, a potential defensive lineman, made a pre-draft visit to the 49ers on Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

After finishing last in the discuss at the 2012 London Games, Okoye began embarking on a potential NFL career. A former rugby player, he participated in an NFL regional tryout in Atlanta before advancing to Sunday’s super regional combine in Dallas.

Okoye, 21, checked in at 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds and 4.78 seconds. He is scheduled to visit the New Orleans Saints on Friday before returning to London to obtain his visa.

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Okoye could be the latest in a line of Olympians and track-and-field stars to suit up for the 49ers, who have 13 draft picks.

Carter, a 1984 silver medalist, was drafted him in the fifth round (121st overall) in 1984. He won three Super Bowls in his nine seasons as a staunch nose tackle, and Walsh considered him one of his four best all-time draft picks, along with Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Dwight Clark.

Other past Olympians who played for the 49ers were Bob Hayes and Ray Norton, sprinters in the 1960s. Renaldo Nehemiah and Jeff Stover also were accomplished track-and-field stars who couldn’t compete in the 1980 Olympics because of theU.S.boycott.

The 49ers have five picks in the draft’s first 93 selections, followed by two picks in the fourth round, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Cam Inman

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Like this guy a lot better than Hunt because: a) teams, including the 9ers, are less likely to overdraft; he’s a project and everyone knows it b) Okoye’s mass/power/length ratio is already NFL/DL ready (6-6/304 vs. Hunt’s freakish 6-8/275) even though you wouldn’t know it, i.e., can’t believe he’s packing 300+lbs -> http://bit.ly/XvpKUu ; c) although they bench the same (38 reps @ 225), Okoye’s personal best (68m) is 23 ft longer than Hunt’s (61m). If it’s a choice btw straightline speed v. torque/power for a DL, I’m taking power every time.

http://J White wine sipper

Sorry if this hurts anyone’s wittle feewings, but Gore is just about done. I suggest checking out Laveon Bell’s highlight video.

http://J White wine sipper

Hey Latopian, you are right, speed is waaaaay overrated. Have you watched the NFL films top 100 players?(of course you have). How often do you hear the words,great speed, or deep threat?

latopian

Awww. Ur right. Can’t find a single mock or review without reading “great speed” or “deep threat”. About DLs.

http://J White wine sipper

What I meant was, when you watch NFL films top 100 players of all time, rarely do you hear them mention how fast a player was. You mostly hear about heart, determination, intelligence, great awareness, instinct , knowledge of the game,or similar attributes. That’s what I meant about speed being overrated.

http://J White wine sipper

But it doesn’t hurt!!!!!

FaStRmAn

Niners are going to trade up to get a player that no one thought they were gonna draft and that player is going to turn out to be the steal of the draft. Harbaalke has a propensity for doing just that. I have faith that the Niners front office will pick just the right player. They have enough draft assets to move in any direction or stay where they are and still come up with draft gems. But I have a feeling they will trade up for either a DL or a Safety.

latopian

White wine sipper says on April 12th, 2013 at 9:13 am

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Thx for explaining. Now I REALLY feel dumb. But that’s nothing gnu.

http://J White wine sipper

No way buddy, none of us are dumb, we are united brothers of the 49er Empire. Carson Palmer for Matt Flynn?…. Now THAT’S dumb!

Leonard Bonilla

Seattle will draft him first just to keep him away from the Niners. Its WAR! Go get em Harbaugh! I hate Pete Carroll.

Garlicboy

With 13 picks, I would go so far as use a 4th round pick on Okoye. Why?

They’ll have 6 picks before using their last pick of the 4th round.

More importantly. Even on the 53 man roster, the 49ers had players that they rarely used (Leondard Davis, AJ Jenkins, etc.)

Check out his interview with Jamal Anderson. Impressive young man with the attitude and understanding to accept that he is a project, but also has the confidence and belief to state that the his ceiling is limitless.